Host an ISLA Operation: Request Lifeguard Training & Equipment Donations
In just over a decade, ISLA has conducted over 70 operations on six continents across the globe. We’ve deployed over 400 volunteer lifeguards to share their lifesaving skills with communities in need around the globe making ISLA the leading international lifeguarding development organization in the world.
ISLA lifeguard exchanges are focused on bringing lifesavers around the globe together to share their experiences, skill sets, and abilities to raise the standards of lifesaving globally. The ISLA 30 hour open water academy is a 3 day intensive training course designed to certify cadets with an internationally standardized certification that they can continue to build up within their own aquatic environment. The course is based on theory, practical, testing and lectures the culminate from decades of lifesaving across the globe.
But the buck doesn’t stop there: the true ISLA innovation exists in our business model of being a 100% volunteer force providing training in developing countries with high risk drowning coastal environs that is funded by a membership model of people around the globe that believe in the ISLA mission.
Stories from the frontlines
Host an ISLA Operation
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Minimum Requirements
Agency Affiliation: Applicants must represent a organization, association, agency, or business in order to host a ISLA project.
Transportation: Provide all in-country transportation during the project.
Accommodations: Provide sleeping arrangements for the ISLA Team during the project.
Food: Provide food for the ISLA Team during the working days of the project
Media: Attract media attention for the project to highlight your organization.
Tour: Provide a 1 day local tour experience for the ISLA Team.
Additional Info
Operation Leaders: List of operation Leaders
Minimum Number of Volunteers: 10 for Training Operations; 4 for Exchange Operations
Organizational and Personal Development Benefits
Hosting an ISLA Operation may lead to substantial organizational and personal benefits for international hosts. ISLA hosts get to receive first-hand international standardized training for their operation site & staff and donated equipment to maintain operations for their staff.
ISLA hosts have the flexibility to invite other regional lifeguard organizations, government staff (depending on their capacities) to bridge regional and local relationships. In the past, these regional invitees have included top military personal, other independent organizations, and even agencies from conflicting countries/regions! Hosting an ISLA operation is truly an opportunity to build community in a setting that will also save lives.
An ISLA lifeguard academy allows the operation host the opportunity to explore governmental and corporate sponsorships for the operation, as well as bring media exposure to their local lifeguard organization.
Each operation’s host is partnered with a dedicated ISLA Marine Safety Officer to assist in executing the operation, oftentimes for years to come! ISLA volunteers also promote tourism in the area through their own post operation travels and experiences, and through sharing their adventures with friends and family back home.
Operation hosts get to experience personal career development in their own right having brought this international experience together in their own communities. And most important, have promoted the development of professional standards in their home country which leads to saving lives!
We look forward to the opportunity of working with you.
Steps to Start an Operation
STEP 1: SUBMIT A REQUEST FOR ISLA SERVICES APPLICATION
Complete the Request ISLA Services application to the best of your ability to be selected to host a ISLA operation for your organization.
STEP 2: APPLICATION IS REVIEWED BY ISLA ADMINISTRATORS
ISLA Administrators will prescreen your summited application, and then send it to our Operations Division. Process takes 1 - 3 weeks from the date of application submission.
STEP 3: ISLA MARINE SAFETY OFFICER IS ASSIGNED
Our Operations Division will assign a Marine Safety Officer to be the ISLA Team Leader, and your primary ISLA contact for the operation. This process takes 2 - 4 weeks
STEP 4: PASS THE LOGISTICS & BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION
STEP 5: REQUEST FOR ISLA SERVICES IS APPROVED & REFINE PROJECT LOGISTICS
ISLA volunteers given the details needed to purchase their airline ticket 2-4 months before the start of their surf lifesaving operation.
STEP 6: RECRUITMENT OF INTERNATIONAL LIFEGUARDS FOR ISLA TEAM
All ISLA volunteers are required to purchase & submit proof of emergency medical, travel, and evacuation insurance 1-3 months before the start of their operation. Cost vary depending on your coverage amounts, age, destination, and ins. provider.
STEP 7: OPERATION DONATION DUE
Trip donations vary in price based on the location, scope, and duration of the project (Usually $350-1,500 USD). Donations are generally due 1-2 months before the start of your ISLA operation.
STEP 8: FINALIZE OPERATION LOGISTICS
ISLA volunteers will be given study materials (documents & videos), and are required to pass various ISLA online exams 1-2 weeks prior to start of their ISLA operation.
STEP 9: ISLA OPERATION CONDUCTED
The scope of the operation determines the duration of your trip. Generally you can expect a operation to be from 7-15 days in length.
STEP 10: POST OPERATION HOST QUESTIONNAIRE
After you have arrived back home, you'll have two weeks to complete a questionnaire to help us improve future trips, as well as completing a blog about your ISLA experience or about a product you wish to review.
Language Requirement
A English translator is required on most projects.
How does ISLA fund its humanitarian operations?
ISLA Lifeguards are volunteers that pay for their own airfare, and a monetary Trip Donation to ISLA in order to cover other operation related expenses. Below is approximation of how the Trip Donation ISLA receives from our volunteers is spent:
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Equipment Donation & Training Supplies
This covers the buoys, swim fins, course materials, etc. ISLA gifts to your organization.
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ISLA Operation Leader Airfare
This includes the flights and expenses of our experienced Marine Safety Officers who assist you to make the operation a success.
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ISLA Uniform
This ensures our ISLA Team looks professional during the operation.
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Marketing
Allows us the means to recruit our ISLA Team of volunteers, and to share your organization's story with the world.
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ISLA Leadership Health Insurance
This makes sure our ISLA Marine Safety Officers are safe and covered during the duration of the operation.
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Miscellaneous
This covers small things like a special group meal, etc. that we get to share together as a team and a family and with our new local friends.
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ISLA General Fund
This allows out volunteer staff a budget for launching other water safety initiatives and maintained expenses, such as our website mailbox, etc.
Host Responsibilities
Transportation: We require our hosts to provide reliable in-country transportation for our ISLA team for the duration of the operation.
Food: We ask our hosts to provide food during the working portions of the trip. For example, Providing breakfast lunch and dinner for our ISLA instructors during the lifeguard training course.
Housing: In order to keep ISLA's costs low, we require our hosts to providing accommodations for our team during the operation. Operation hosts are also responsible for a providing a venue for the lifeguard training course (if applicable).
Experience: Our passionate team of lifeguards, would love to for you to share a local tour, or activity with us for a day before we depart.
Start Your Application
ISLA generally conducts 4-8 humanitarian lifeguard projects per year. Because of our high demand for services, it may take over one year from the date your application is submitted to execute a project. The more resources your organization is able to provide beyond our minimum requirements, the higher priority your application will have.
Host Resource Center
"Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success." – Henry Ford
FAQ
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